Health Alert: Mandatory Face Covering/State of Calamity Extended

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Location: Cabo Verde

Event: Mandatory Face Covering/State of Calamity Extended

Mandatory Face Covering

Effective Thursday, November 5, all individuals are required to wear a face covering in public spaces including on sidewalks and roadways when around people who are not members of the same household.  Children under the age of ten and individuals with health conditions that prevent them from wearing a face covering are exempt from the requirement.  Individuals who are exercising and able to social distance themselves are also exempt from the requirement.  Anyone in violation of the law may be subject to a fine up to 15,000 CVE (approximately $158).  U.S. citizens in Cabo Verde are reminded that all Cabo Verdean laws and regulations apply to them.

“State of Calamity” Extended

The Government of Cabo Verde extended the “State of Calamity” designation for the islands of Santiago and Fogo until November 14.  The other islands remain under a “State of Contingency.”  These designations place certain restrictions on businesses and public gatherings, including time restrictions on restaurant operations as well as beach access in certain areas.

International Travel

As of October 12 commercial flights and international maritime transportation of passengers resumed operation.  Travelers entering Cabo Verde must present results of a negative COVID-19 PCR-RT test that was administered within 72 hours of flight departure to gain entry to Cabo Verde.  Children under age seven are exempt from presenting a COVID-19 PCR-RT test result to gain entry to Cabo Verde.  Please contact your airline or ship operator directly to confirm details regarding COVID-19 testing documentary requirements as well as requirements for any other stopover on your journey.  Upon arrival in Cabo Verde, travelers will have their temperature checked and must submit a completed health questionnaire.  Anyone displaying symptoms such as fever may be put in isolation and subjected to a COVID-19 test on arrival.

Inter-island Travel

Passengers departing from the islands Santiago and Fogo or passengers from any island traveling to Sal or Boa Vista are required to undergo a rapid COVID-19 test within 72 hours prior to departure and present a declaration showing a negative test result at the time of check-in.  All passengers are also required to fill out a Health Surveillance Survey prior to departure.

For available flights, please visit https://www.ticv.cv.  For the latest ferry schedule, please visit https://www.cvinterilhas.cv/routesschedules.

COVID-19 Testing

U.S. citizens requiring a COVID-19 PCR-RT test for international travel departing Cabo Verde should contact their nearest health delegation.  The cost for the PCR-RT test is 11,000 CVE (approximately $115).

U.S. citizens requiring a rapid test for inter-island travel should contact their nearest health delegation or a private lab.  The cost for a rapid test is generally less than 2,000 CVE (approximately $20).

COVID-19 Cases in Cabo Verde

As of November 1 Cabo Verde had a total of 739 active COVID-19 cases.  The active cases are on Boa Vista (4), Sal (3), Santiago (550), Santo Antão (12), Sao Nicolau (1), São Vicente (30), Fogo (134), Brava (4) and Maio (1).   Additional information is available at https://covid19.cv.

STEP and Emergency Consular Services

The U.S. Department of State updated the Travel Advisory for Cabo Verde on August 17 to Level 3 (“Reconsider Travel”).  Travelers are encouraged to read the entire Advisory, which includes updated information on COVID-19 related conditions.

Announcements with new health and travel information for U.S. citizens and LPRs overseas are shared via the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), which is the Embassy’s primary means for communicating this information to American citizens, as well as on the Embassy’s internet site and Facebook page.  We urge any U.S. citizen or LPR seeking assistance to enroll in STEP as soon as possible, or ensure that their current enrollment remains up to date, so that they have immediate access to the latest information.

Emergency American Citizen Services are being provided.  Please email PraiaConsular@state.gov for assistance.  Effective September 21, 2020, the U.S. Embassy in Praia is accepting passport appointments for U.S. citizens with less than six months validity remaining on their passport in addition to those with expired or lost/stolen passports.  The Embassy will also accept appointments for Consular Reports of Birth Abroad (CRBAs) for anyone eligible for an emergency passport.  To request an appointment, please email PraiaConsular@state.gov with your full name, date of birth, passport number, and phone number.  Please note that the Embassy is operating with reduced on-site staffing so it may take time to schedule an appointment.  If all paperwork is in order at the time of the appointment, the new U.S. passport should be available for pick-up in approximately 4-6 weeks.  Please find information about passport procedures and fees here.

Emergency visa services are being provided.  Please email PraiaConsular@state.gov for assistance.

For more information on traveling to the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit our frequently asked questions.

Note:  This information will continue to be sent regularly for the benefit of new registrants in STEP.  Should you wish to stop receiving these updates, please send an email to PraiaConsular@state.gov requesting to be removed from STEP enrollment.

Actions to Take:

Assistance:

U.S. Embassy Praia
Rua Abilio Macedo 6
Praia, Cabo Verde
Phone:  (+238) 260-8900
PraiaConsular@state.gov
https://cv.usembassy.gov/
State Department – Consular Affairs
1-888-407-4747 or 1-202-501-4444
Cabo Verde Country Information
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By | 2 November, 2020 | Categories: Alert

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